Kneading-machine.



P. E. FOUGAR.

KNEADING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR.18, 1912.

151 3&%W% Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

M h/Lwa THE NORRIS PETERS C0, FHOTc-UTHQ, WASHINGIDM B4 c P. E. POUGAR.

KNEADING mom's. APPLICATION FILED- MAR. 18, 1912. 1 ,1 fififiwflPatented Mar. 30, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEBT 2.

WITNESSES) KNEADING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters fatent.

Patented Mar. 36 1915.

Application filed. March 18, 1912. Seria No- 684,472.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that T, PHILIPP EDUARD FOUCAR, asubject of the German Empire, residing at Dusseldorf-Oberbilk, Germany,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Kneading-Machines,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a kneading machine for dough or the like, thatis to say, it relates to a machine in which irregular shaped pieces ofdough or the like are formed into regular ball shaped pieces whilesimultaneously they are subjected to akneading action.

Machines of this kind as hitherto known do not entirely replace handwork. It has been impossible for instance to replace the excellentkneading action of the human hand and at the same time to insure a goodpiece, that is to say a regular ball with a uniform compact structurehaving an even surface with the exception of the end.

The object of the present invention is to provide a machine which willwork satisfactorily in this respect.

The feature of the novel machine resides in causing a revolving ormoving dough table to carry the lump or piece alternately against fixedrails or kneading bars arranged in pairs, these bars being located atsuch intervals that on account of the to and fro movement of the lumpcaused by the movement of the table, the dough is now pressedsubstantially transversely against one bar and the next instant ispressed against the next bar so as to roll over the said bars for ashort distance.

It is already known to move the piece forward while rolling it against abar, but the novel feature of the present invention resides in causingthe piece to roll alternately against two opposite bars or rails andthis is produced by the peculiar movement imparted to thetable.

Due to the motion of revolution of the table the dough is pressedagainst the bars simultaneously with the rolling and this is productiveof the required kneading effect such as is effected by the handoperation.

The intensity of this kneading action may be regulated by suitableadjustment of the angle of the bars to the face of the table.

Another feature of the present invention resides in setting one rail orbar at a more acute inclination to the plane of the table than theother. This results in causing the piece to move automatically in thedirection in which the table tends to carry the piece during the contactof the piece with the bar.

A further feature resides in the provision of means for adjusting theinclination of the table and the bars, which together form the kneadingbed, so as to accelerate or retard the kneading process as required.

The invention will be readily understood from the following descriptionof one form, shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings inwhich:

Figure 1, is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section. Fig.2, is a plan of the machine. Fig. 3 is an end view showing the upperpart of the machine partly broken away and the table in dotted lines.Fig. 41, is a plan of the table support. Fig. 5, is a vertical sectionthrough one of the supporting trunnions for the table. Fig. 6, is a viewillustrating the method adopted for supporting the working or kneadingbars. Fig. 7, is a vertical section through the support for the kneadingbars.

In carrying the invention into effect according to the form illustrated,the machine comprises essentially a moving table 1, which is locateddirectly under pairs of fixed bars 2. The table together with the barsform a kneading bed. The table is carried by cranks 3, which are fixedto shafts supported in brackets on an arm 4. The arm 4, is carried bythe uprights of the frame 5, of the machine. The table is driven from ahand crank 6, or belt pulley 7, mounted on a shaft 8 supported on theframe of the machine. The shaft 8, drives a vertical shaft 10 throughbevel gearing 9. On the vertical shaft 10, there is keyed a toothedwheel 11, which gears with three toothed wheels 12 (see Fig. 4).

The wheels 12, are mounted on short vertical shafts 13, supported inbearings 14:, on the arm 4:. At the upper side of each wheel 12, thereis fixed a crank 3. The crank 3, is fixed by means of a bolt 46 (seeFig. 5) eccentrically on the wheel 12. Such a crank is provided on eachof the wheels 12. With this arrangement it will be seen that when thewheel 10 rotates, for instance clockwise, all three wheels 12 willrotate counter-clockwise in Fig. 4. The table 1, is provided withsupporting pins or feet 15, which rest in foot-step bearings 16. Thefoot-step bear ings 16, are formed in a hollow cup 14, car-- ried byeach crank 3 (see Fig. 5).

The movement of the table 1, is such that all its surfaces move in acircular path corresponding in radius to the radius of the cranks 3.According therefore, to the adjustment of the canks 3 on the wheels 12,the table 1, would be caused to revolve about a circle of greater orsmaller diameter. The adustment is effected in any convenient mannerfrom the bolt 46.

The above described mechanism is that which I prefer to employ and isadapted to give a circular movement to the table. The essential however,is that the movement imparted to the table is one of any regular closedcurved form- On the end of the shaft 8, that is to say, on the left handof Fig. 1, and about the center of Fig. 3, there is mounted a toothedwheel 16, which engages with internal teeth 17, on a wheel 18.. Thewheel 18, is mounted on a sleeve 21 passing loosely over a spindle 20.The spindle 20 is rigidly fixed in a bearing 22 on the machine frame 5.When the shaft 8, rotates, the wheel 18 and sleeve 21, are alsorotated.On the sleeve 21, there is mounted a toothed wheel 23, which engageswith a. corresponding wheel 24, mounted in a position lower on themachine (see Fig. 3) and. nearer the side frame 5, than the wheel 18.The wheel 24, is mounted on a shaft 25, which also carries a roller 26,the roller 26, being arranged transversely between theside frames inFig. 1 and below, the table 1. The table 1, as can be seen in Fig. 2, isin the form of a rectangle with one side cut away at an angle. Theroller 26 is located at the same side of the machine as that towardwhich the cut away side of the table 1, is arranged. On the roller 26,there is mounted a transporting band 27, which also extends over asupporting roller 28 carried by a frame 29. The frame 29 is pivotallymounted about an axis 82 supported in bearings 31. In addition the frame29, is s'upporte'd by an adjustable'upright 30 (see Fig. 3'). The entiredriving gear for the transporting band 27 is inclosed by a cover 33'.For the sake of simplicity, the part of the supporting band 27 j whichprojects outwardly from the machine 18 omitted.

The transporting band is provided to receive and transport plates orboards on.

which the piece of dough is placed after it leaves the table 1. The feetof the machine frame 5 are provided with adjustable screws 34 to enablethe machine to be set up as required either in a horizontal or inclinedposition.

As mentioned above, the table 1, executes its movement of revolutiondirectly below the kneading bars or rails 2. These rails are supportedconveniently in a frame made of angle-iron and this frame 35 may formthe upper part of the machine frame.

The rails or bars 2, are supported in the frame 35, in such a mannerthat they may be inclined about a horizontal axis situated about theircenter or about one end. In this way the bars 2, may be inclined at anydesired angle to the plane of the table 1.

To the short transverse lengths of the frame 35, there are fixed anglepieces 36 (see Figs. 6 and 7). The angle pieces 36, are adjustable byvirtue of slots 37 through which there pass the fixing bolts or studs38. A groove 40, is provided on the downwardly depending arm of theangle piece 313 (see Fig. 7) and in this groove there engages a pin orprojection, on the end of the rail 2. In the form shown, the projection11, is arranged at the upper end of the rail 2. A second pin orprojection 42, lixed to the rail or bar 2, engages with a pivoting pointformed on the end of a pin 43, located below the groove 10 on. the anglepiece 36. It will be seen therefore that on slackening back the nut 39,the angle piece 36, may be mo ed along the frame 35, owing to thepresence of the slot 37. This movement will cause the upper pin 41, ofthe kneading bar 2 to move with it whereby the bar will be rotated aboutan axis formed by the projection 42, engaging with the pivoting point onthe pin 4.3.

Although the projection 12, and the bean ing pin 43 are provided at eachend of the bar 2, the actual adjusting device which embraces the partsnumbered 36 to 4:1 is only arranged at one side of the bar.

In the drawing, Figs. 2 and 6, the adjusting device is alternatelyarranged on one and the other side for successive pairs of rails. At theend of the rails next to the driving crank G. suitably shaped incuts-11, are provided which permit of the piece of dough or similarn'iaterial to be worked being pressed between the corresponding pair ofkneading bars and this applies even when the two bars are inclined atfairly acute angles to the plane of the table. This device works asfollows: It will be assumed that the table revolves in acounter-cloclnvise direction in Fig. 2, and that the kneading bars 2,are arranged vertically to the table. The piece 45, see F 3, to he actedupon is first moved and pressed against the right hand bar in Fig. 3,and then against the left hand bar while at the same time it rolls ashort distance over the table. In this way the piece is pressed more orless a ainst the bars and is furthermore held by these bars, meanwhilethe lower part of the piece which is resting on the table is displacedowing to the movement of the table. The pieces then move from the righttoward the left hand bar, whereupon the actions described are repeatedbut in the opposite direction. The process is then repeated severaltimes.

The periodic rolling effected by the oppositely arranged bars and thedisplacement of the material for the time being resting on the tableproduces in the end an action similar to that produced by hand by meansof which the pieces form into substantially ball shape with a screwedshaped formation to ward one part of the surface forming the end and onthis end the piece is rested after the kneading process is finished.

It will be understood that the action described is possible even whenthe kneading bars are perpendicular to the surface of the table. Theaction is however considerably accelerated by inclining the bars at amore or less acute angle to the tablein this way the piece comes soonerand remains longer in contact with the bars. The kneading action on theinclined bars is more intensive than on the vertical bars especially thepressing-in action between the inclined bar on the table surface. It isthus possible by ad justment of the inclination of the bars to the tablesurface to regulate according to requirements the pressure which isexerted by the bars on the dough like mass. The adjustability of thebars also enables the pieces to be fed along the kneading bed withoutusing any special transporting means. It has been found that thistransporting action may be produced by inclining one of the bars whenthe other remains vertical or when both bars are inclined, one barshould be arranged at a more acute angle than the other.

By means of the action described namely, the presence of a greaterpressure between the table and the bars according to the in creasedinclination, the piece is accurately fed along the table in thedirection. in which the movement of the table tends to carry the pieceaway from the bar at the most acute angle. In this way it is possible bythe adjustment shown in Fig. 1, to obtain three actions, first, bothbars 2, may be vertical to the table whereby the dough like mass will bemerely worked or kneaded and shaped, secondly, both bars may be arrangedat the same angle whereby the kneading action is more intensive and thepieces simultaneously kneaded and shaped. ln the third place, the twobars may be arranged at different angles as shown at the extreme righthand of the table in Fig. 3, and in this way the kneading is intensiveand the piece is not only formed and kneaded but is moved forward in thedirection in which the table tends to move the piece when it is incontact with the more acutely inclined bar. The automatic transportingmovement of the piece toward the transporting band 27, would be effectedtherefore by revolving the table 1, in a counter-clockwise directionwhile the bars 2, were in the relative position shown in regard to theright hand bar in Fig. 3.

When the machine is in use all the bars should be arranged somew wt inthe relative position shown in respect to the right hand bar in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 2, the bars are shown vertical, but in reality they would bedisplaced somewhat after the manner shown in the right hand bar in Fig.3. In this way the dough like masses inserted at the openings i l inFig. 2, travel accurately from right to left in the direction of thearrow and at the left hand they fall with suitable distances betweenthem, from the table to th transporting band 27.

The fitting of the pieces in the longitudinal direction of the kneadingbars 2, may be effected by suitably inclining the entire machine or thefeeding action may be accelerated or retarded in the same manner. Thusthe feeding action is slower when the ma chine and all its working partsor more especially the kneading bed is inclined upwardly from the pointwhere the dough is inserted between the bars to the point where thepieces are allowed to fall on to the transporting band. Similarly thefeeding action is accelerated by causing the inclination to be adownward one in the direction of the feeding.

It has been found that the inclination of the kneading bed in adirection transverse to the direction of feeding has effect upon theaction and forward movement of the piece.

The inclination of the machine in one or other direction is effected bymeans of the adjustable foot 84.

In the form of the invention chosen for illustration a plurality ofpairs of kneading bars are provided.

It will be understood that any suitable number may be provided and thewidth of the table will be correspondingly altered. The parts are shownin somewhat like the proper proportions for three pairs of bars.

I claim:

1. In combination in a kneading machine, a table adapted to move in itsown plane, pairs of bars located above said table and spaced to admitthe mass to be kneaded, means for adjusting the inclination of the barsrelatively to said table and means for moving said table to cause saidmass to press against and roll in contact with one of each pair of saidspaced rails alternately.

2. In combination in a kneading machine, a table adapted to move in itsown plane, pairs of bars located above said table and spaced to admitthe mass to be kneaded and.

means for moving said table to cause said mass to press against and rollin contact with said spaced rails alternately, one of each pair of saidspaced rails being more inclined than the other to cause said mass tomove progressively over the table.

3. In a kneading machine in combination, a table adapted to move in itsown plane, a pair of bars mounted over said table and having their loweredges substantially parallel thereto, and means for adjusting. theinclination of said bars tosaid table,

4. In combination with a table adapted to move in its own plane, asupporting frame, bars adjustably mounted on said supporting frame, saidbars having projections at their ends, pivoting pins on said: supportingframes and engaging in projections-at opposite ends, a slid'able platemounted on said supporting frame and having a slotted arm located withthe slot opposite one end of said bars and a projection on the barsadapted to engage inthe slot on said adjustable plate.

5. In combination in1a kneading machine adapted: to move in its ownplane,- pairs of bars located above said table, means for inclining saidbars to said table and to one another, an incut portion on said barsatone end of said table, said incut portions being arranged to admit themass to be kneaded, andmeans for moving said tableto. cause said mass topress against and roll in contact with one of each pair of said barsalternately.

6. In combination, a table adapted to move in its own plane, supportingpins for said table, cranks carrying said supporting pins, rotatabledriven members, means for adjustably fixing said cranks and saidrotatable driven members, pairs of bars located above said table andspaced apart to admit the mass to be kneaded and means for adjusting theinclination of said bars to said table.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

PH. EDUARD FOUGAR.

Witnesses:

HELEN NUFER, ALBERT Norm.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

